chickenxx

I have both Social Anxiety disorder and Obsessive Compulsive disorder. I haven't been diagnosed with these officially, although I did recieve help for my Social Anxiety as a child, so I don't actually know what therapy entails myself. Both are anxiety disorders, that usually go hand in hand, so I'm guessing that relief from one would consequently relieve the other. I find my Social Anxiety disorder easier to manage, when I rationalise my fears by telling myself "They're just strangers who you will never see again" or "They're just human like you, they won't judge you for stuttering"(I stutter or freeze up when I'm anxious in social situations) so I think what your therapist is saying is to dismiss your worries, and think of the positives (the outcome of the event). You also feel a massive sense of accomplishment when you push yourself to dismiss your worries and speak, so its all worth it. With OCD, because its intrusive and unwanted thoughts or compulsions or feelings etc. and not so much a reaction to events like SAD, the treatment would be most likely be slightly different. I'm not really there yet with my OCD so I don't have any advice on how to handle that. I've noticed that SAD is more of a gut-feeling that starts before the dreaded event, a reaction to being in a social situation and feeling you are being watched and judged, and being very aware that this anxiety is showing, whereas OCD is more of a sudden urge or thought that stays until you do a task to relieve it, while being aware its irrational but nontheless still performing. SAD doesn't feel as irrational, more of an exagerrated reaction. Anyway I hope I've heped, even if its just by knowing your not alone.